By Samuel SAM
Administrative activities at the University for Development Studies (UDS) have come to a halt as members of the Ghana Association of University Administrators (GAUA) – UDS branch – begin an indefinite strike in protest against the withdrawal of office holding allowances.
The action follows a unilateral directive issued by the Ghana Tertiary Education Commission (GTEC) on 28th April, 2025, instructing the Controller and Accountant-General’s Department to halt the payment of office holding allowances to GAUA-UDS members serving in management and leadership roles.
The move, which affects 108 administrators, has been described by GAUA-UDS as a breach of long-standing conditions of service and an act of bad faith, as no prior consultation or engagement was made with the association.
The affected members say the withdrawal has had significant financial consequences, with some struggling to subsist until the next salary payment.
In a press statement signed by Dr. Stephanie Anyas, President of GAUA-UDS, and copied to the media, the association said the decision undermines the principles of fairness, dialogue and mutual respect.
The statement noted that a restructuring of directorates within UDS—approved by GTEC in a letter dated 18th September 2023—had created new headship roles with corresponding allowances, which have been honoured until now.
“It is ironic that the same GTEC which approved the offices and accompanying headship allowances would later issue a contradictory directive, without any engagement with the affected parties,” Dr. Anyas stated.
GAUA’s National Executive Committee had earlier written to the Minister of Education on 25th April 2025, calling for intervention ahead of GTEC’s directive. However, no resolution was reached before the directive was issued.
The strike, which officially commenced on Tuesday, 27th May, 2025, was announced following an emergency meeting held on Monday, 26th May, 2025.
The association has vowed not to return to work until GTEC withdraws the directive, the withheld allowances are paid and a Ministerial Committee is established to develop a clear framework for the payment of office holding allowances.
“Our strike will remain in force until these demands are met and constructive dialogue is initiated in good faith,” Dr. Anyas said.
The strike has disrupted both internal and external university operations, with students and staff unable to access essential services such as the collection of certificates and academic documents due to office closures.
